George Carlin's anti-cop album, recorded prior to 9/11, to be released next month

The album was shelved at the time out of respect for police, but it's a different America now

Shares

August 24, 2016 8:31PM (UTC)

SiriusXM announced on Wednesday it would be releasing an album of original material from comedy legend George Carlin on its "Carlin's Corner" channel September 1st. It's the first new material from Carlin to come to light since his death in 2008, and the reason behind its non-release quickly becomes apparent from the clip below.

Recorded just prior to 9/11, it includes material incredibly hostile to police officers, reverence for whom skyrocketed in the weeks and months after the terrorist attack.

Advertisement:

Carlin's frank admission that "when I was kid and went to the movies, we rooted against the police and for the crooks -- and I still do" would not have gone over well in the days after 9/11.

In the context of America today, however, they're likely to resonate much more widely. Distrust of law enforcement -- especially in non-white communities -- is increasing, and with good reason. Or make that "good reasons," some of which Carlin outlines in this short bit.

Listen to Carlin discuss his feeling about police officers below.

Scott Eric Kaufman

Scott Eric Kaufman is an assistant editor at Salon. He taught at a university, but then thought better of it. Follow him at @scottekaufman or email him at skaufman@salon.com.